Demers, 26, had career-highs in goals (5) and assists (29) last season, finishing with 34 points. Drafted in the seventh round in 2008, Demers was once considered a long-shot to make the NHL, but has now grown into one of the Sharks’ best offensive-minded blue liners.

Said Wilson in a press release:

“Jason has been a solid, offensive defenseman and is coming off a good season. His skill set and his age mesh well within our overall group and we’re happy to have him signed for two more years.”

With the departures of Dan Boyle and Brad Stuart and Brent Burns moving back to defense, the Sharks now have six defensemen under contract for next season: Demers, Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Justin Braun, Matt Irwin, and Scott Hannan. San Jose is also likely to call up top prospect Mirco Mueller to begin the season, and use Hannan as a seventh defenseman.

In addition to the re-signing of Demers, the Sharks also brought back prospect Taylor Doherty on a one-year deal. The 23-year-old defenseman has spent the past four seasons in Worcester.